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Monday, March 18, 2013

"Habemus Papam"

Less than a month ago, Pope Benedict XVI announced that he was resigning his papacy. He is the first pope to do so in over 600 years. On Wednesday, Cardinal Bergoglio was selected to become Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope in history. Pope Francis' selection is exciting on a variety of levels. On a fundamental level, he is the first pope to come from the Jesuit order. Pope Francis is coming into papacy in a very sensitive time; he is responsible for transitioning the church into modern times, where technology rules.

Pope Francis must also juggle a variety of modern issues plaguing the Roman Catholic Church. There have been divisions over women's role in the church, the church's role in politics and the still fresh child sexual abuse scandals.

So far, it seems that Pope Francis will be a revolutionary figure in the church, already calling for change and positioning himself in positive media spotlight.